Free White Owl by Veronica Blake Page A

consideredproper to—you know—um, sleep with more than one woman?”
    “We have to find a woman, or women that we want to spend the rest of our lives with. How do we know if we don’t try out many different ones?”
    She gasped, “Women? You are allowed to have more than one wife?” She twisted away from him and scooted out of his lap so quickly that White Owl didn’t have time to react.
    As they faced each other again, White Owl reminded himself that white men only married one woman at a time. But he still thought it was rather humorous that she was so shocked by the Ute custom. “If it pleases us,” he said. The color that rose up in her cheeks was deep red. It made her blue eyes look even more brilliant.
    “But I intend to take only one wife,” White Owl added quickly. Her eyes narrowed slightly as if she didn’t believe him. “Your turn, Wild Rose. Do you have a suitor?”
    Her blush deepened. “Me? Oh, no! I mean, who—” She met his gaze and looked down at the ground. Her hands twisted at the material of her skirt.
    The smile on White Owl’s lips widened. He was certain that she was thinking the same thoughts he was—she definitely had a suitor now—if she wanted one. Neither of them could deny there was something special between them, and he was certain it was much more powerful than anything either of them had ever experienced.
    He reached out and picked up one of her handsthat was fidgeting in the folds of her skirt. “My turn again.”
    She did not look up at him, nor did she make any effort to pull her hand away. “What do you want to know?” she asked.
    “Would you consider having an Indian as a suitor?”
    White Owl saw the heavy lump that she swallowed in her throat. She was wearing the shimmering gold heart necklace again today, and it accented the movement in her neck. She looked up at him now. “If I was the only woman he wanted.”
    Something hit White Owl in the thigh. He blinked and glanced down at the ground beside his leg. It took him a second to realize what it was, and his reaction was delayed because of the shock that rendered him speechless for a moment. He had no idea when she had picked up the small rock—barely more than a pebble—but her meaning was clear.
    He studied her smiling face for only an instant more. There was no doubt in her eyes or anywhere else on her beautiful face. He leaned forward to seek those sweet-tasting lips again. She met him halfway.
    They both rose to their knees, so they easily fit together as their lips sought to feed their desperate hunger. White Owl’s kisses were more demanding than ever before. The direction they were headed had become vividly clear, and he wasn’t planning to waste any more precious time. He had known since that very first day, and apparently,she had, too. It had just taken her a bit longer to figure it out.
    White Owl’s hand moved to the back of her head; his fingers became lost in the tangles of her long curls. He pressed his body tighter against hers as his mouth opened to push his tongue between her lips. For just an instant she seemed to hesitate before her lips separated and allowed his tongue to taste the sweetness of her moist mouth. Almost instantly, her tongue began a taunting dance with his, and if possible, their kisses became even more ardent.
    White Owl slowly lowered her to the ground. Beneath them the summer grass was full and soft. They lay on their sides as they continued to kiss. With his free hand, White Owl let his fingers trail over her breast and down along her waist and the curve of her hip. She trembled beneath his touch.
    He thought to pull back, to ask her if she was really sure this time, but she did not give his thoughts a chance to become vocal. There was no holding back for either of them now.

Chapter Nine
    Rose felt him start to pull away, but she could not imagine any distance between them at this moment. The consequences of her actions tried to invade her thoughts. But her mind was